Energy in the Morning and depression

I don't remember getting those symptoms as much as having anxiety in spades. Having said that, if you're really starting to feel depression, it might be time to talk to a therapist who specializes in this. Perhaps your surgeon / oncologist can recommend someone.

Even if you feel it may not be at that level yet, better to "nip it in the bud" now so it doesn't have a chance to get worse.

If nothing else, perhaps look into a PCa suppport group. Maybe having contact with folks who are facing the same thing you are will be enough of a positive experience to help, and / or, they may be able to recommend someone if it's time to talk to a professional.

Best of luck to you!

Thank you. Much appreciated.

I had a RARP two years ago. I suffered some depression at about three months. I seemed to be making very slow recovery recovery from incontinence compared to many of the stories that I read online. I ran across an article about exercising on a rowing machine and how that helped one gentleman recover his continence. I began using a Concept II rower and that led to a steady progress in my recovery. It still took an additional five months to fully recover, but the noticeable progress helped with the depression. It also helped that the holidays provided time with family and friends.

I just hit the 4 month mark after my RARP and every morning I struggle to wake up and get focus on getting myself to shower, eat etc. to go to work. I'm not depressed but there are days I want to shut my alarm off and stay in bed all day. I have a little internal task list that I start repeating to myself. Step one pick out what to wear, step two do you have soap, shampoo etc to take a shower. I do this till I am ready to hit the door to go to work. It seems to be working and the main thing it do it *try* to remain positive during the day.

There seems to be something around month 3-4 after a RARP where you start to finally feel phyiscally "better" but your brain doesn't want to come along for the ride. I had some cancer related brain fog before my surgery etc. as most people do and this is much different. I've never really been Depressed except right before my surgery so I don't really know what that feels like. Just for some reason my brain and my body aren't really getting along right now.

So you are def. not alone in this. I've thought about exercise and doing some hardcore Pelvic floor stuff to strengthen my core etc, But I'm going to discuss this first with my PCP.

Hormone changes can and will cause depression symptoms...I would speak to healthcare providor and quickly as depression can be intense and disruptive..but my guess is your brain chemistry has been disrupted and it will right itself at some point...and try to stay busy with daily projects and longer term projects, exercise and talk to others with similar challenges..we are all going thru somewhat the same ordeal..treatment, more treatment, PSA testing..surgeries, rehab etc...it takes its toll...6 months ago I was planning a surfing trip to Bali with a couple of friends.. after a terrible summer of biopsies, Pet scans..hormone therapy, I am now set for radiation for 2 months starting Monday..I wake up some days and wonder " how in the fuck did this happen ?" and then I thank the gods I am not Joe Biden and get moving !!

Thank you, this is helpful. I will try the rowing machine.

It’s good to know I’m not alone. Thank you.

Do you exercise? My husband and I walk the dog in the morning then he goes to the gym mid morning and he feels better mentally and physically, though, having just finished chemo last week, he's more tired in the afternoon and often takes a nap.
Cardio and weight training is best I believe.
It's so hard to deal with though, I get depressed too as his wife! Thinking how I will manage after he's gone?
Hang in there and pray and read your bible and go to church.... find people to talk to about it, don't be alone in this!

I find myself in the same boat. Having great results with the two main side effects but struggle with the mind. Can’t explain it.

General anesthesia can effect brain chemistry big time and cause all kinds of mood alternations as well as "brain fog", depression, anxiety etc.

That with compounding effect of stress due to cancer diagnosis, post operative pain, recovery complications, relationship difficulties, financial worries, job insecurity etc etc all contribute to feeling of tiredness, difficulty to focus, sleepiness, loss of interest in fun activities , changes in sleep patterns and eating patterns.

There is absolutely nothing unusual about all that BUT never the less it is very hard to push though and it requires a lot of effort until those feelings resolve 🥺. Recommended steps for post op depression are basically the same as for "regular" depression - exercise, healthy diet, socializing, finding a hobby, finding support group or therapist, meditations, and of course getting a medication if needed.

I did not have surgery nor PC but still am having hard time functioning due to worries about my husband's cancer.